Extract of Magnoliae Flos inhibits ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by blocking osteoclastogenesis and reducing osteoclast-mediated bone resorption

Bone homeostasis is maintained by a balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. Osteoporosis occurs when osteoclast activity surpasses osteoblast activity. Pro-inflammatory cytokines stimulate osteoclast differentiation and activity by increasing production of macrophage-colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). In this study, we investigated whether Magnoliae Flos (MF), one of the most commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs for managing rhinitis, sinusitis and headache, could effectively inhibit osteoporosis. In ovariectomized (OVX) mice compared to sham mice, the body weight increased and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase 5b, calcium, and osteocalcin were significantly elevated. However, orally administrated MF extract substantially inhibited the increased body weight and serum levels of bone turnover markers, without any evidence of tissue toxicity. MF extract treatment significantly reversed the morphometric parameters of ovariectomy-induced bone loss, including trabecular bone volume, thickness, number, separation, and bone density, to almost the same levels of the sham mice. Furthermore, MF extract reduced the RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption by inhibiting the activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cathepsin K in mouse bone marrow macrophages. MF extract appeared to increase ALP activity in murine osteoblastic cells. Taken together, MF extract may be a beneficial supplement for the blockade of osteoporosis progression, particularly for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.     

Genetic populations of Bacillus anthracis isolates from Korea

Bacillus (B.) anthracis is the pathogen that causes fatal anthrax. Strain-specific detection of this bacterium using molecular approaches has enhanced our knowledge of microbial population genetics. In the present study, we employed molecular approaches including multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and canonical single-nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP) analysis to perform molecular typing of B. anthracis strains isolated in Korea. According to the MLVA, 17 B. anthracis isolates were classified into A3a, A3b, and B1 clusters. The canSNP analyses subdivided the B. anthracis isolates into two of the three previously recognized major lineages (A and B). B. anthracis isolates from Korea were found to belong to four canSNP sub-groups (B.Br.001/2, A.Br.005/006, A.Br.001/002, and A.Br.Ames). The A.Br.001/002 and A.Br.Ames sub-lineages are closely related genotypes frequently found in central Asia and most isolates were. On the other hand, B. anthracis CH isolates were analyzed that belonged to the B.Br.001/002 sub-group which found in southern Africa, Europe and California (USA). B.Br.001/002 genotype is new lineage of B. anthracis in Korea that was not found before. This discovery will be helpful for the creation of marker systems and might be the result of human activity through the development of agriculture and increased international trade in Korea.     

Effects at early stage of life of elevated milk replacer feeding on growth rate,plasma IGF‐I concentration and intestinal nutrient transporter expression in Holstein bull calves

In order to evaluate the effects of an elevated amount of modified milk replacer on body weight, daily gain, starter intake, plasma endocrine parameters and expression of nutrient transporters in small intestinal epithelia, Holstein bull calves (n = 24) were fed for 60 days either with the usual amount of 24% crude protein (CP) and 20% fat milk (CF) replacer (C group), or with a double amount of a modified milk replacer of 28% CP and 16% CF (E group). Body weight from D20 to D60 and daily gain before D40 was greater or tended to be greater for the E group than the C group. Plasma concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐I) and insulin were greater for the E group than the C group on D28 but not on D56, without changing plasma growth hormone levels. Gene expression for sodium‐dependent glucose transporter 1 and fatty acid translocase (CD36) was altered in day‐ and intestine‐dependent manners. From these findings, we conclude that an elevated intake of milk replacer given up to 40 days old is sufficient to enhance body weight, which may be associated with increased plasma IGF‐I concentrations, in Holstein bulls.     

速生高产品种‘热垦523’的试种研究

通过对2000年在海南、云南、广东等地建立的11个胶木兼优试种区无性系10 a的系统观察,结果表明:‘热垦523’是一个速生高产无性系。在热科院试验区,其生长较快,年均增速达7.99 cm,可提早1 a开割;产量高,年均株产1.98 kg,显著优于对照‘RRIM600’;在生产系比区,高于对照‘GT1’、‘云研77-4’等。白粉病和炭疽病抗性为中感和中抗,抗风性与‘RRIM600’相当,死皮率低于对照,胶乳生理基础较好。其主要缺点是抗寒性较差,2008年在寒害中表现与‘PR107’差异不大。鉴于该品种很高的单产,在海南、云南等地轻寒、轻风区有较大应用潜力。     

西北内陆棉区棉花含杂率调查与研究

针对现行国家标准规定的棉花含杂率标准值不能够准确反映我国实际棉花含杂率现状的问题,课题组制定调研方案,通过对西北内陆棉区手摘棉和机采棉不同轧花工艺的棉花进行取样、测试、统计其含杂率样本,采用SPSS统计分析软件,计算样本均值与标准差,分析含杂率样本的集中趋势和离散趋势。对样本进行K-S检验,判断样本是否符合正态分布;对于符合正态分布的样本,计算样本的偏度与峰度,分析样本分布形态与标准正态分布形态的差异。通过分析,确定了西北内陆棉区手摘棉棉花含杂率样本均值为1.124%,机采棉棉花含杂率样本均值为1.184%。在西北内陆棉区,虽然子棉加工前棉花含杂率差异较大,但在不同的轧花工艺作用下,加工后的棉花含杂率基本一致。此外,在手摘棉轧花工艺中,皮棉清理对棉花含杂率的降低起主导作用;在机采棉轧花工艺中,子棉清理对棉花含杂率的降低起主导作用。     

葡萄藤秆资源的开发及饲养试验

开发废弃的葡萄藤秆资源,加工调制后,作为粗饲料的一部分,用于全混合日粮中,对周岁绵羊进行30 d的饲养试验。在葡萄藤秆添加比例为15%或20%时,取得了日增重300 g左右的好成绩,为葡萄藤秆饲料资源的推广应用打下了良好的基础。     

不同品系橡胶树锯干处理后生长恢复能力的评价及分析

以66个不同品系幼龄橡胶树茎干为材料,锯干处理后分析比较其侧枝初始萌芽的天数(萌发天数)、侧枝数量、侧枝长度、侧枝基部直径、侧枝叶蓬数等5个生长恢复指标的差异,并结合主成分分析和聚类分析的方法,对不同品系橡胶树的生长恢复能力进行综合评价。结果表明,5个生长恢复指标的变异系数均大于16%,其中侧枝长度的变异最大(34.74%),萌发天数的变异最小(16.73%)。相关性分析和主成分分析表明,萌发天数和侧枝长度2个指标分别可以作为评价橡胶树萌芽和生长潜力的核心指标。对各品系主成分分析综合得分进行聚类分析,结果表明,大部分橡胶树种质的生长恢复能力中等(74.24%),而保亭3412、徐67020A、大岭66-41-2040、PR107、KHA10、大岭64-21-645、福建796-11、93-114多等8个品系的生长恢复能力强。